Coffin



(No Model.)

J. D. TURBEVILLE. GOFFIN.

No. 578,302. Patented Mar. 2, 1897.

by) I v 544001442013 Hkweww w M 6 a f UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN D. TURBEVILLE, OF FULTON, KENTUCKY, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO JOHN J. STRIOKLAND, OF ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI.

COFFIN.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 578,302, dated March 2, 1897.

Application filed May 5, 1896. Renewed anuary 13, 1897. Serial No. 619,107. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, J OHN .D. TURBEVILLE, of Fulton, in the county of Fulton and State of Kentucky, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Ooiiins; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and eXact description of theinvention, which will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to the letters of reference marked thereon, which form part of this specification.

My invention relates to certain improvements in eoffins, burial cases, and caskets.

The object of my invention is to provide a burial-casket or coiiin exceedingly simple, du rable, and cheap in construction and composed of a minimum number of parts.

The invention consists in certain novel features of construction and in combination and arrangement of parts more fully described hereinafter and particularly pointed out in the claims.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, Figure l is a perspective view of my invention. Fig. 2 is a side elevation, and Fig. 3 is a longitudinal section thereof.

Like letters of reference mark the same parts in the different views.

a indicates a casket or coffin of any suitable length and preferably composed of glass. This casket has the usual glass slide or opening Z) in its top. Around the outer surface of the casket or coffin and surrounding the same and preferably east or otherwise formed in tegral therewith is a rib or projection c. This rib or projection not only improves the outer appearance of the casket, but also serves as a means of strengthening it and as a support for the handles d, two of which are preferably molded or otherwise permanently secured within or to the rib or projecting piece 0 on the side of the casket, while two other handles a f are formed on the head and foot portions of the casket, the rib completely encircling the entire outer surface of the casket for a certain portion thereof.

The lid 9 is formed of any suitable material, but preferably of glass, and is provided with the double flanges h i, forming a groove 7, which enters a corresponding flange or ledge k inside of the case proper when the lid is lowered upon the same.

In use a strip of asbestos or the like is interposed between the flanges he of the lid, so as to form a tight joint when the lid is let down upon the casket.

On the interior of the casket and preferably surrounding the same is an inner rib or ledge Z. A suitable lid, preferably of steel, rests thereon, the purpose of which will be shortly described. The lid 9 is also provided with an opening it, through which a suitable forcepump can be inserted at the desired time to pump the air out of the casket. The interior lid m is provided with an opening communicating with the lid of the coffin, and a suitable connection, such as a tube on, can be arranged so as to form the connection between the two lids, and within this tube is located a check-valve n, so that after the air has been pumped out of the coffin none will be allowed to enter the openings just described. The tube m at a point between the two lids can be provided with openings 0, so that any air remaining between the two lids can be pumped out at the time the pump is in operation, such air being forced up through the tube and out at the upper portion thereof.

The auxiliary lid on not only acts as a guard against the ingress of air, but also serves as a bar against the collapse of the top and sides of the casket.

A casket or coffin constructed as above described will not only be found to be waterproof and air-tight, but by reason of the interior lid all danger of the casket collapsing is obviated and a coffin is provided secure against ingress of air, (to.

Various slight changes might be made in the forms, constructions, and arrangements of the parts described without departing from the spirit and scope of my invention. Hence I do not wish to limit myself to the exact construction herein set forth.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is

1. The herein-described casket or coffin consisting of the case made of a single piece, a projection or ledge surrounding the exterior surface of the same and formed integral therewith, the handles secured thereto, a lid for the case provided with grooves to enter the flange of the case proper, a flange around the interior of the case, a lid resting thereon for the purposes set forth, a tube formed on the lower lid, a corresponding tube 011 the upper lid in alinement with each other and a elosu re for the outer opening of the upper lid, and a valve, for the purpose set forth.

2. A coffin or casket consisting of the case made of a single piece, a projection or ledge surrounding the exterior surface of the same and formed integral therewith, the handles secured thereto, a lid for the case provided with grooves to enter the flange of the case,

my own I affix my signature in presence of 25 two witnesses.

J OI*I1\ D. TURBEVILLE. \Vitnesses:

J. 0. MILLER, RAYMOND PASCHALL. 

